E-Waste (electronics waste), also known as "brown goods," refers to electronic equipment that is no longer usable or wanted. It encompasses a broad and growing range of electronic devices, including computers, TVs, cellular phones and personal stereos, digital cameras, MP3 players, DVD players and electronic games (but not including household appliances).

Today, when an electronic item breaks, it is often perceived to be more cost-effective to discard it and replace it with a new, more modern item instead of having it repaired. With technology advancing at an increasing rate, this trend will only increase, and more and more E-Waste could potentially end up in landfills.

E-Waste Facts

Over 100 million computers, monitors and televisions become obsolete each year in the US.

About 300 million other consumer electronics such as cell phones and DVD players become obsolete each year in the US.

E-Waste accounts for 40 percent of the lead and 75 percent of the heavy metals found in landfills.

Consumers have, on average, two or three obsolete computers in their garages, closets or storage spaces.